PDP seeks support for pro-people government in Kashmir

People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Sunday sought support from the people to establish a new pro-people system of governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a public meeting in Udhampur, 64 km from here, the former chief minister said that in the last five years, corruption has become a "way of life" in the state.

"The National Conference-led government has earned the dubious distinction of making Jammu and Kashmir the most corrupt state in the country," Sayeed said.

"It is under the present regime that corruption reached a new high and has been virtually legalised," he said.

"Corruption has almost become a way of life in Jammu and Kashmir" and lack of transparency in governance at various levels was the root cause of corruption in the state, he said.

He said the government has failed to take any concrete measures to fight corruption.

To substantiate his allegations, Sayeed pointed towards the recently exposed affairs in the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE).

"Sanctity of institutions like BOPEE has been eroded during the last five years and not only was a tainted officer appointed as head of this prestigious institution, but he was also given other favours including unwarranted and arbitrary extensions in services, violating all norms," he said.

He said that during the PDP government in the state, all regions were treated equally.

Sayeed also mentioned water supply in Udhampur, work on an Asian Development Bank-funded road connecting Udhampur with Ramnagar, and sanction of a campus of the Jammu University and Degree College at Ramnagar.

Sayeed sought support of the people for party candidates Arshad Malik and Yash Pal Sharma for Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seats for the 2014 elections.